Secrets to Minimizing Complications After Plastic Surgery
Dr. Khansa discusses the most important steps to take to achieve a smooth recovery after plastic surgery
Understanding Risks in Plastic Surgery
Navigating the recovery period after plastic surgery requires patience and discipline. While your board-certified plastic surgeon handles the technical precision in the operating room, your choices during the post-operative period determine how quickly and smoothly you heal.
Potential complications after plastic surgery may include (but are not limited to):
Infection: this may be a superficial infection that can be treated with antibiotics, or a deeper infection that requires another surgery. Infection becomes more problematic if you have foreign material implanted, such as a breast implant for breast augmentation
Bleeding: this may lead to blood accumulating inside the surgical site (a hematoma). Depending on the size and evolution of the hematoma, it may require return to the operating room for evacuation and to stop the bleeding
Seroma: in plastic surgery, tissue layers are often separated from each other to allow relative movement between them. Body fluid can then accumulate between those tissue layers. If the body is unable to re-absorb that fluid, it becomes a fluid collection known as a seroma. Depending om its size and symptoms, a seroma may require aspiration, drainage, or return to the operating room
Delayed wound healing and skin necrosis: if the blood supply to the tissues is insufficient, the tissues may die, leading to an open wound. Therefore, during the healing periods, blood flow to the tissues needs to be maximized
Blood clots: being immobile for a long time can cause blood clots in the legs (deep venous thrombosis) that can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolus)
Pneumonia: being immobile and not using the full volume of the lungs to breathe/cough can lead to infection in the lungs (pneumonia)
Essential Steps to Minimize Post-Surgery Complications
Strictly follow the written aftercare provided by your surgeon, and ask as many questions as needed to clarify every instruction: Every procedure carries unique physical constraints, instructions and restrictions. Avoid guessing, and make sure you understand the instructions fully.
Start walking on the evening of surgery: while the surgery may require some activity restrictions, you should still get up and walk (with help) on the same day as surgery. Lying around and not moving is a recipe for blood clots (deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus). Even a few steps every hour or two will help keep your circulation flowing
Abstain completely from nicotine, tobacco, or vaping from 6 weeks before surgery until 6 weeks after: Nicotine constricts blood vessels, drastically reducing blood flow and oxygen delivery to your healing tissues. This exponentially increases the risk of tissue necrosis. Smoking even 1 cigarette within the 12 week restricted period around the time of surgery can be disastrous.
Fuel your body for tissue repair: Surgical recovery demands significant metabolic energy. Focus on high-protein foods (100g of protein daily) and heavy hydration (8–10 glasses of water daily) to assist cellular repair.
Take deep breaths, and cough when you need to: it is essential to keep your lungs open and expanded. Do not be afraid to cough. Coughing will eject any mucus in your airway, and will allow your lungs to expand, lowering the risk of pneumonia.
3305 Northland Dr., Suite 210, Austin, TX 78731
DrKhansa@KhansaPlasticSurgery.com
(512) 615-6566 (call or text)
(281) 962-8002
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